LETTERS TO BROTHER JOHN. 155 



an energetic circulation, and is incompatible with 

 a high degree of sensibility. Hence it directly 

 follows, that whatever causes are calculated to 

 increase sensibility to make us tender, if you will 

 tolerate a common expression have an immediate 

 and powerful effect in impeding the conversion of 

 our food into blood, and, therefore, of impairing 

 the process of nutrition. Hence arise the incal- 

 culable mischiefs of a daily indulgence in what 

 are miscalled the comforts of life ; but which are, 

 in reality, most pernicious and unnatural luxuries. 

 A few of these are, table-indulgences, lounging on 

 couches, warm, carpeted rooms, window-curtains, 

 bed-curtains, blazing fires, soft beds, flannel 

 underclothes (I speak of the healthy, not of the 

 sickly invalid), novel reading, hot suppers, and, 

 though last, by no means least, that precious piece 

 of foolery, called passive exercise that is, lolling 

 along at ease in a stuffed and cushioned carriage. 

 Not that I would totally abolish any one of these, 

 except, perhaps, hot suppers and soft beds; but 

 that I wish, by proving to you their evil influences, 

 to induce you, to use them as sparingly as the con- 

 ventual habits of society will permit: though I 

 confess, for my own part, I see no reason why any 

 man should feel himself called upon to injure his 



